Local decisions

Will upcoming local council elections realign socio-political equations in NSW as a record number of sub-continental candidates seek to represent changing demographics?

BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

As the main provider of core services, it is incumbent on local government to consider what the changing demographics of Australia mean to the socioeconomic fabric of the society. The verdict is out. Dramatic spurt in migration from the Indian subcontinent has drastically changed the racial profile of the nation over the past decade.

The state and local governments have jointly launched a novel initiative - Destination 2036 - for strong and sustainable long term growth.

As local councils all across NSW (barring Wollongong and Shellharbour) go to polls on September 8 2012, it is heartening to note the increased participation of sub-continental origin candidates. Indian Link spoke to five sitting councilors re-entering the fray, as well as several community leaders, small businessmen, youngsters and influential residents who have chosen to take the plunge into active politics by representing the people at grassroots level. We certainly hope to see many new faces and increased participation in the coming years at all three levels of governance.

Cr Pr A b I r M AIT r A Labor Parramatta Council, Arthur Philip Ward (North Parramatta, Parramatta, Harris Park, parts of Wentworthville)

Councillor Prabir Maitra is back in the fray at the Arthur Philip Ward, having already served at Parramatta Council since 2008.

“The biggest achievement of my tenure was to represent the growing South Asian migrant community for the first time in Parramatta Council and I hope to serve them yet again,” Cr Maitra told Indian Link. “The hard working South Asian migrant population has changed the profile of Parramatta and it has been hugely positive, bringing new opportunities. It’s not only in Harris Park, you go to any street of Parramatta and other suburbs and you will find a lot of businesses now owned by South Asian Communities. It’s creating jobs, bringing new festivals and new colour to multicultural Parramatta. But we need appropriate infrastructure and transport, to solve ever growing traffic and security issues. In many suburbs due to high rise buildings population density is growing but not the open space, leisure areas and child care facilities. I will persevere in these areas”.

Cr Maitra who works in IT support at Westmead Hopsital, also hopes to establish an annual Council funded sub-continent festival in the major events calendar to add new dimension to vibrant city.

As well, he is working towards long term relationship with a Council in India.

Maitra has continued to promote the community cause through his tenure at the local government level. During the international student crisis, he actively lobbied with the Council and the community, and was senior leader of Consul General of India’s special committee. Tabling a motion on the matter, he got the Council actively involved, eventually resolving the crisis.

He actively supported the initiative of bringing music legend AR Rahman to Parramatta Park, an effort that led to 60,000 people attending the high profile event.

As well he promoted Parramasala – the Australian Festival of South Asian Arts, having served on its board.

“I believe Parramasala should consult more with community organisations and people directly for greater success,” he stated.

Both as a resident of the Parramatta area and as Councillor, Maitra has engaged both with community and businesses for better infrastructure and facilities.

As well he has lobbied for grants and events in the local areas.

Among those who have benefitted are - Shakti temple, Sydney Kali Bari, Westmead Murugan temple and BAPS Swaminarayan temple.

He has also supported DA for a mosque in Granville as well as Gujarati Samaj building.

Likewise, he has reached out to the Sri Lankan community voicing their concerns and organising vigils during refugee crisis.

Maitra helped the Sri Lankan Tamil community organise vigils in front of the Parramatta Town Hall after the recent massacre. Likewise, he has supported Gandhi Centre activities.

The Labor councilor, who is head of the Westmead branch, has represented his party at various state and federal committees.

Maitra was instrumental in organising the delegation of Parramatta City Council to India and Bangladesh, led by the Mayor and representatives from UWS, Westmead Hospital and local businesses.

He is also a member of the smart city initiative – ParraConnect, which introduced ParraSync Card to integrate access to many aspects of city living. He is also on its IT advisory committee.

“I believe in a culture of responsiveness and positive change”, he stated. “And this comes by listening to residents and working with the community to get things done”.

Cr D ILIP C HOP r A Liberal Party Hornsby Shire Council, Ward A (Asquith,

Castle Hill, berowra, Dural, Hornsby, Hornsby Heights, Wahroonga, Waitara)

Sitting councillor and Hornsby resident Dilip Chopra is seeking reelection as a Liberals candidate. A strong advocate of multiculturalism and community togetherness, he has served as vice president of UIA.

During his tenure at Hornsby, Chopra has served the Shire in various sectors. He has been particularly outspoken in areas of aged care and disability. Mental health care and seniors welfare is a subject he is particularly passionate about.

A gemmologist by profession, the Delhiborn Chopra has also been a member of the advisory board to celebrate Diwali at Parliament. As well he is a member of the Ministerial Consultative Committee of the State Cabinet.

He hopes to continue the rich work of the former council and leverage on existing relationships and close ties with the community.

“I believe Council should continue to support small business – a critical course of action in generating local employment”, he said.

He believes diversity adds to the rich culture of the Hornsby Shire. “While racism cannot be completely weeded out, it can be replaced with respect for multiculturalism,” he indicated.

“As a leader of the Indian community, I always encourage them to respect and embrace Australian culture and community life. We need to get involved in mainstream initiatives like CleanUp Australia and participate in Anzac Day ceremonies,” he added.

“I am honoured and humbled to be one of the first Indian Australian councillors. I have once again been endorsed by the Liberals and am committed to my electorate,” he emphasised.

He also believes Council must continue to work with the community in meeting residential housing targets to ensure that the quality of life is preserved in Hornsby Shire.

Cr rA ke SH D UNCOM be Independent kuringai Council, roseville Ward

NZ born Rakesh Duncombe, who migrated to Australia in the seventies, has risen up the management ranks, serving in many roles before starting his own thriving financial practice in 2002. He has now diversified into real estate as well.

The Roseville resident was elected to his ward in 2008, after then Mayor Nick Ebbeck urged him to get involved because of his strong business and Rotary links.

“With political affinity towards Liberals, I represent the silent majority”, he told Indian Link

“I’d like to say I am a capitalist. I strongly believe in the common sense approach and keeping things simple. The “vocal minority” have too much influence in local government politics and have effectively slowed or even stopped our community progressing”, he noted.

“I want to restore more balance in decision making.

The pendulum has swung too far to the Greens and the antidevelopment side of the spectrum, and policy creep means that what seemed like good small ideas years ago, are now entrenched in the psyche of councils; yet most of them do not benefit the wider community, rather, a narrow focused ideal of a vocal few. I think residents are generally fed up with decisions that are convenient to the hype of the day. I always represent any resident to assist them to get a fair and reasonable outcome to their issue,” he added.

A keen sportsman, particularly motor racing, he is active in the local community and has been a long time member of Rotary Club, serving as their youth director and later president.

A smiling face is the greatest tool when negotiating with even the nastiest of situations, he believes.

Cr Duncombe is a strong believer in “balancing the needs of the entire community and opposes the ‘human induced climate change’ movement.” He believes current policies are too restrictive, short sighted and pandering to Green elements.

Rather he supports “sustainable practices and operations provided residents aren’t continuously asked to fund these programs.”

He is the economic and social development champion amongst current councillors and managed to have the new resource appointed after nearly two years of effort.

“I am on the internal audit committee,” he explained “and believe strongly in fair process, transparency and minimising bureaucracy. As a business owner, I understand and champion fiduciary responsibility, governance, strategic thinking and budgeting – a skill in my view that is generally lacking in our current group of councillors,” he added.

Cr Duncombe prefers to get the basics sorted, “before committing ratepayers’ funds to programs and ideas that are nice, but not critical”. Financial sustainability and strong working relationships with fellow councillors and residents are, he indicated, his biggest success.

He wishes to get started soon on “an excellent civic centre that residents will be proud of.”

As well he hopes to work on the image of the DA team. “Our Council is regarded as one of the most difficult to deal with,” he admitted.

Cr VAS ee rA j ADU r AI Labor Holroyd City Council, North Ward (Girraween, Pendle Hill, South Wentworthville, Toongabbie, Central Gardens Park)

Sri Lankan Australian councillor Vasee Rajadurai is back in the fray from North Ward having successfully completed his tenure.

“I am very proud to have represented the South Asian community. It was a great opportunity to act as a bridge between council and people,” Rajadurai stated.

Rajadurai has recently been appointed Vice President of Parramatta District Cricket Club.

“Our colonial roots and British political legacy makes us Sri Lankan and Indians aware of governance experience. Anglo Australians should realise that we are not here to change the local culture, rather we only seek to enrich it by embracing our rich heritage as much as local traditions”, he emphasised.

“Nevertheless, a huge cultural change is happening in great western Sydney and the growing ethnic needs have to be met. This will be my work for the upcoming term,” he indicated.

It is a challenge for someone like me of ethnic background. I understand all the diverse needs but sometimes it is not possible to meet all of them, he added His biggest regret is the lack of cultural facilities. “At the moment, residents have to go to Blacktown or Silverwater for community functions. We urgently need a large hall to accommodate at least six hundred or more,” he admitted.

He also hopes to address transport needs and implement better policing.

An ongoing issue is high-rise buildings. “I have been fighting indiscriminate high density developments that are cropping up without adequate focus on infrastructure facilities.

As well Clr Rajadurai has worked closely with the community to stop closure of three council pools.

“I have had to fight tooth and nail to prevent this and I can happily say that it is one of my big successes”, he admitted. He will also work to better equip libraries with sufficient resources.

C r M A r C r er C er ATNAM Independent Ashfield Council, South Ward

Of Indian and Chinese ethnicity, Singapore-born Marc Rerceratnam was elected to Ashfield Council in 2004 elections on a Greens ticket. This time round he is contesting as an independent from the south ward after losing his endorsement.

Rerceratnam, who moved to Australia for post graduate studies, has a PhD from University of Sydney on examining interaction between communities and governments.

The community activist has been particular critical of high rise developments in 1 and 2 storey Federation style neighbourhoods.

Barely three months after his debut, he initiated the social and economic program to revitalize the Ashfield Town Centre – “a delicate proposition juggling the interests of local residents, shopkeepers, pro-development landowners and local and state political networks”. This involved innovative ideas and the ability to create links and networks with the local actors in Ashfield CBD.

“By late 2006 and early 2007 significant improvements to the Town Centre was becoming visually apparent with many business owners, for the first time, reinvesting thousands of dollars in refurbishing their businesses along Liverpool Road,” Rerceratnam said.

He has been the Chairperson of Local Multicultural Ethnic Affairs Committee, Shopping Trolleys Working Party/Taskforce He is also member of Works & Infrastructure Committee, Community Services Committee, Communications Committee, Library Committee, Environment Committee, Budget & Operations Review Committee, Strategic Planning & Economic Development Committee.

rA j DATTA Labor Strathfield Council (Strathfield has no wards)

Raj Datta needs no introduction to South Asian readers. The long time Homebush West resident has not only been preselected by ALP to lead the elections at Strathfield Council but is also running for Mayor. There are no wards in the council.

“This pre-selection acknowledges the views of the Labor Party on the achievements of Australians from Indian and Indian Sub-continental heritage in making New South Wales an increasingly better place for all Australians,” Datta stated. “For me these elections are about standing by a set of values that bind us together as a community, such as respect for social equity and equality. It is about belief in principles that if the same god created us all, we all deserve the same opportunities of life including opportunities for education and health. It is about our commitments to these qualities, values and principles,” he added.

Initiating the formation of the Deepavali Festival Committee (DFC) of NSW, he was also instrumental in arranging the first-ever external illumination of a parliament house in western society.

Since then it has been transformed into one of the highest profile celebrations in the state.

He also spearheaded the installation of a plaque acknowledging contribution of the Australians from Indian and Indian sub-continental heritage. A dedicate community activist,

Datta took a lead role in initiating a dialogue for safe and speedy resolution of the students crisis by establishing the Premier’s Working Committee, which he went on to chair.

Datta led the initiative to institute the Premier’s Award for Australians from Indian and Indian Sub-continental heritage in 2010 to celebrate multiculturalism and social contribution.

He is also passionate about rebuilding Australia as a “knowledge nation” and believes in increased funding for public schools.

“To ensure our kids perform to their full potential, our system must be totally merit based and focus equally on academic and sports excellence,” he emphasised.

“I am leading a team that is fully committed to working in close co-operation with the community in a proactive fashion. This new Labor team believes that there is a need for the councillors to be more in touch with residents and to work in close consultation with the community.”

The proposed Australian Catholic University redevelopment has been a key concern for Strathfield residents.

Inadequate policing is another major issue.

“I have personally spoken to many business owners around the shopping area and they say there is not enough police presence. The shopkeepers don’t feel safe because people break out in fights around their businesses. Many other issues are being brought to our attention by community members and we are reviewing it all,” Datta added.

bALA j I

Ve N k ATA r ANGAN Labor

Holroyd City Council, east Ward (Merrylands, Granville, Westmead, Holroyd, part of Wentworthville)

Balaji Venkatarangan calls himself a foot soldier of the Australian Labor Party.

A founder member of SubContinent Friends of Labor, Venkatarangan has time and time again lobbied on community issues and government policies.

“I believe in the fundamental role that we, as members and activists, play in our party’s electoral success,” he told Indian Link

The community leader and union activist will contest local government elections from East Ward of Holroyd Council.

“I can deliver a new vision to Holroyd city council along with my team Peter Monaghan and Sandra Kaltoum. As president of an association, union delegate and community representative, I have the time, energy and experience to lead us forward. I will fight hard